Geography of Portugal

Code: GEO02377L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Geography

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

5. Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

8. Trabalho digno e crescimento económico - Promover o crescimento económico sustentado, inclusivo e sustentável, emprego pleno e produtivo, e trabalho decente para todos.

11. Cidades e comunidades sustentáveis - Tornar as cidades e os assentamentos humanos inclusivos, seguros, resilientes e sustentáveis.

Learning Goals

? Understand and analyze the importance of Portugal's geographical position (between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic) for the characteristics of the territories.
? Understand and analyze the influence of geographic factors on the country's dynamics and diversity.
? Analyze the patterns of settlement and the urban systems that structure the territory.
? Understand and analyze the distribution of economic activities.
? Identify natural resources and their economic potential.
? Identify and assess susceptibility to different natural hazards.
? Understand, discuss and propose ways to organize the use of the territory.
? Apply field observation techniques to identify, evaluate and correlate concepts, phenomena and processes discussed in the classroom.
? Develop integrated perspectives on the functioning of territories by interconnecting the components of physical and human geography.

1. Geology and geomorphology
- Formation and geological and geomorphological evolution
- Tectonics, morphostructural units, landforms and current dynamics
- Resources and risks
2. Climate
- Geographical position and influence of latitude, altitude and proximity to the Atlantic
- Types of climate and rainfall and temperature patterns
- Resources and risks
3. Hydrography
- Regions and drainage basins and regional differences
- Surface and underground water resources
- Risks
4. Population distribution and urban systems
- Evolution of built-up areas
- Spatial distribution of population and demographic flows
- Configuration of urban systems
- Problems and potentialities
5. Economic activities
- Spatial distribution of primary activities
- Hierarchies of location of industry, services, consumption, leisure and tourism
- Development disparities
6. Spatial planning and management
- Key elements
- Urban processes (expansion, rehabilitation, renovation)
- Continuities and ruptures

Teaching Methods

Teaching methodologies include the use of texts, images, videos and other documents and materials for the presentation and discussion of theoretical concepts and relevant subjects in Physical and Human Geography of Portugal. Active teaching/learning strategies are valued and used. Group work carried out by students in the classroom is carried out under the supervision of teachers and allows the consolidation and practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired. The activities carried out in the classroom as part of group work are complemented with a field trip to the study area.

Assessment

Evaluation methods:
1) Continuous evaluation composed by 2 individual theoretical tests (30% + 30%) and 1 group work (40%).
2) Alternatively, the evaluation can be obtained with a final theoretical exam (100%).